Laser Engraving - What You Should Know About Laser Engraving
And Laser Engraving Machines

Laser engraving and laser marking are high speed, non-contact
methods of permanent marking. Laser etching is basically
just another name for laser engraving. Some people just call it
laser etching. Others call it laser engraving but basically the
technique uses a computer-controlled laser beam to mark a
surface. Laser marking is the favored marking method when
permanency or aesthetics are desired.

Laser Marking

Laser marking is a process in which material is indelibly
marked at very fast speeds (milliseconds per
character). Laser
marking is flexible, programmable and environmentally
clean. Laser
marking of glass by Co2 lasers on the fly or while moving can
be an excellent addition for many industrial environments and
applications for glass marking. Laser marking is also favored
when the part to be marked is too small or has too complex a
shape to be marked with anything but laser
etching.

Co2 lasers can provide excellent results for marking glass and
also provide significant reductions in operating costs and cost
of supplies. Some
the items that Co2 lasers and Co2 laser systems can be utilized
for regarding laser marking and etching glass or quartz are
float glass plants, manufacturing of glass doors and windows,
permanent serial numbering, ANSI safety information, customer
logos, decorative or specialty glass manufacturing,
manufacturing data related to plant, production date and line,
and/or part numbers. Co2 lasers when used to laser
mark or laser etch glass and quartz replace traditional methods
such as sand blasting, ink pad printing, and
etching.

Laser Etching

Laser etching is the process of marking the material without
cutting all the way through using reduced
power. Laser
etching provides a permanent message on an in-process or
finished component. Laser etching can be
done on many materials including slate, granite,
stainless steel, leather, arborite, glass, mirrors, and
premium hard woods.

Laser Cutting

Laser cutting offers a superior cut-edge quality with parallel
sides and no burrs. The ability to laser cut
complex profiles can eliminate the need for additional
operations, making laser cutting highly
economical.
Laser cutting adds high precision, reduced contamination
or warping, and a quality finish to industrial cutting
applications. The laser metal cutting
option can be added to some of the laser cutting
machines.

Laser Engraving Machines and
Systems

Laser machines and systems are used in a variety of
applications and industries including medical device,
aerospace, manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceutical, and
electronic. A
large number of industries, including electronics and
communications, glass, medical instruments, tool and die,
prefabricated construction and mold making use laser marking
machines and systems. Quite a few companies make laser
engraving machines, laser marking systems and laser etching
equipment.

Laser engraving metal uses the most power especially if the
metal is of the harder type. Laser engraving products
include wedding giveaways, nametags, table nameplates, trophy
engraving, laser wood engraving, etc. Also laser engraving services
are available in most engraving specialty stores because it's
now the most common type of engraving.